Motor vehicle sales for November rose 11 percent to 45,200 units from 40,856 a year ago due to improved market conditions, the StarBiz daily reported, quoting the statement issued by Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

The statement also said November was the second consecutive month that saw sales rise year-on-year. However, total sales up to November this year were down 3.7 percent to 489,234 units versus 508,290 sold during the same period last year.

On its outlook for December, MAA said year-on-year sales volume growth was expected to continue although month-on-month volume was likely to be lower.

“The normal year-end preference of customers is to take delivery of vehicles in 2010,” it said.

An analyst with a local bank-backed brokerage said the sales numbers for November were within expectations.

“As the economic outlook improves, people are more inclined to spend on big-ticket items. However, we won’t match the sales numbers achieved last year,” he said when contacted by StarBiz.

Another analyst concurred: “It’s also the holiday season now and with things (economic conditions) picking up, a lot of buyers will want to take advantage of year-end promotions offered by the various car companies.”

Of the November sales, MAA said 40,569 units comprised passenger vehicles and the balance 4,631 commercial vehicles.

Production in November 2009 fell 17.2 percent to 40,074 units from 48,431 in November 2008 while year-to-date production dropped 10.8 percent to 444,755 units from 498,419 a year ago.

Of the total vehicles produced in November this year, passenger vehicles totalled 36,132 units while the remaining 3,942 comprised commercial vehicles.